Brittle Nails – How To Make Your Fingernail Stronger

Remedies For Brittle Finger Nails

Nails are constituted by keratin, the same protein that makes hair. As one grows older, nails naturally tend to become thinner, drier and more prone to splitting and cracking. Sometimes, regular exposure to harsh chemicals in soaps and detergents also cause damage to the nails and make them brittle. Prolonged contact with water or heat can also make nails vulnerable to external wear and tear. Less commonly, fungal infections, especially in toenails, can also make nails brittle.

There are a few simple home remedies that you may follow to strengthen your nails. Always make sure that you use gloves when you do household work like cleaning and washing. This protects the nails from strong chemicals and heat and prevents them from becoming brittle and weak. You should also avoid very long fingernails, as these are more prone to external injury. Before going to bed every night, soak your nails in lukewarm water for 10 minutes and then apply a little moisturizer or petroleum jelly on them. Since nails have no fatty cells, they cannot retain moisture naturally unless it is supplied by an external source. During winter, you may also put on hand gloves after applying moisturizer or petroleum jelly on your nails, as the cold dry environment dries up nails quickly. Make sure, however, that you do not overdo it, since excessively moist nails can also easily break with the application of the slightest pressure.  Minimize your use of nail polish, as nail polish removers generally contain a chemical called acetone that dries up the nails and makes them brittle. Do not wash your hands repeatedly as this will strip your skin and nails of their moisture and natural oils. You can use lemon juice as a natural substitute for hand wash. Lemon juice is a mild acid that cleans your hands without robbing it of its precious moisture.

Legumes like lentils and peanuts, and cauliflower are rich natural sources of a chemical called biotin, which helps nails grow thicker and stronger. Include these food items in your diet. Massage your nails with vegetable oil every day as this helps to improve blood circulation at the base of the nails and makes them firmer. Alternatively, you may also soak your nails in half a cup of olive oil for 30 minutes every day. Before paring your nails, soak them in a tepid salt water solution for half an hour. This prevents them from breaking or splitting when you trim them. Consume foods that are rich in zinc like nuts, beans, oysters, cereals and dairy products as zinc strengthens nails naturally.